“Despite what she’s been through, Catriona is a strong woman, much more capable than ye give her credit for.” Ewan returned to his meal, but at the other man’s silence, he looked back up.
Broden’s eyes narrowed and he blew out an annoyed breath. “Ye cannot claim to know her better than I do.”
The guard walked out before Ewan could say anything else.
They must have passed in the corridor because it was only a moment later that Catriona entered. “What happened between ye and Broden? He seemed angry just now.”
Ewan shrugged.
Catriona neared and looked to his midsection. “Although it is worrisome to see blood, the fact that it is light in color is a good sign. The healer is here and will come momentarily.”
“The sooner I am healed the better,” Ewan replied. “I have been asked to leave.”
Her expression of consternation gave Ewan hope. “What do ye mean? Surely ye are not able to ride for long in yer current state.”
“I cannot linger here much longer. Laird Fraser asked that I leave as soon as the healer allows it.”
“What is the reason?”
Her question made Ewan scramble for a reply. He could tell her the truth, of course, but she was not ready for any revelation of the sort. “It could be that on my trek back from patrol, I was on Mackenzie lands and fought one of their guards. If I had killed him, the tentative truce between the clans would have crumbled.”
“Ye were attacked.”
“If I was on their lands, he had every right to defend his clan’s territory.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I know there is more to the story. Ye should tell me.”
His lips curved. “I should. But I will not. Ye do not need to worry yerself with all of this.”
“I am not as delicate as everyone thinks. I am overcoming my fears...”
“It is natural for someone who’s been through such a trial to be affected. Keithen himself admitted that he often dreams of what happened to him.”
Catriona walked to the edge of the bed. “And so ye are leaving?”
He couldn’t look at her, scared that she’d see how much he didn’t wish to. That he’d give anything to remain near her. It was stupid, of course. She had much more in common with Broden than she’d ever have with him.
“I am.”
She shook her head slowly. “Where are ye going.”
“I will travel north back to Clan Ross.”
“I see,” Catriona replied, her gaze lifting to him.
His heart hammered. “Ye should consider coming with me and the men I will be traveling with. It would give ye an opportunity to visit my cousin’s wife. Ye and she are very close, are ye not?”
Catriona bit her bottom lip. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, the healer entered.
The man went directly to the bed, which made Catriona move aside. “I will need clean bandages and some hot water. Can ye see about it?” He slid a look to Catriona.
Although they were not of the elite class, it was still not customary for a single woman to be in a man’s bedchamber. However, in the case of healers and caring for the sick, it was overlooked.
By the healer’s disapproving expression, he was not of the mind to overlook the fact that Catriona had been in there alone.
Surprising him, Catriona went to the doorway and called to a maid, giving instructions to bring the necessary items. Then to make matters worse, she rounded the bed and came to the other side.
Her gaze lifted to the healer in challenge. “I understand that the bleeding is expected. Do ye plan to stitch it closed? I had the maid boil some herbs so that the wound can be cleaned out.”
The healer nodded in approval. “I have heard that many in the southern regions are using different herbal mixtures boiled in water for medicinal purposes. I plan to travel soon to learn more about it.”
As Catriona and the healer continued the discussion, tonic was poured down his throat, his wound was washed and stitched together. By the time they wrapped his midsection, Ewan was in pain and very sleepy.
The healer and the maid walked out, and Catriona lowered to a chair that she’d pulled close to Ewan’s bed.
“Ye do not have to stay here,” Ewan said, annoyed at how hard it was becoming to keep his eyes open. “I will probably sleep until last meal.”
Catriona’s lips curved. “I doubt that it will be that long.”
“I do not wish to take any more of whatever that was. It’s not only vile, but also the room is swaying.”
Instead of responding, she leaned back in the chair, seeming comfortable. The fact she remained in the room with him was astonishing. Just a few months earlier, she’d barely speak to anyone. She’d spent months locked in her bedchamber, unable to leave and now the same woman sat in a chair alone with him.
“How was yer visit to the village?” Ewan asked, forcing himself to remain awake.
Catriona gave a barely visible shrug. “I enjoyed seeing my parents and sister. She has five children.”
“Five,” he repeated.
“Yes,” Catriona replied. “Four boys and an infant daughter.”
“Do ye wish to have children one day?” The moment he asked the question, Ewan realized what a mistake it was. The unspoken, but very real reality of Catriona’s tragedy surfaced, bubbling over the edge like a pot of boiling water.
Catriona jumped to her feet. “I should go and allow ye to rest.” Her wide eyes met his. “I will send someone later to ensure ye do not need anything.
She would not return, nor speak to him again unless he said or did something then. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind.
